Crossing gate



I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 720672@ Caf @Memo/fa.

Oct. 3. 1933. c. o, MERICKA Er AL CROSSING GATE Filed May 9, 1930 Oct. 3, 1933.

c. o.' MERICKA ET AL `1,928,945

CROSSING GATE Filed May 9, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l@ gi l i,

oct. 3, 1933. Q 0, MERICKA ET AL 1,928,945

CROS S ING GATE Filed May 9, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 "l-ll l*IIAIll/11111111111111111111IllIl/l Patented Oct. 3, 1933 V CROSSING GATE cri o. Mericka, chicago, and william M'Lmr, Wheaton, Ill., .assignors, by rnesne assignf ments, to Consolidated Signal Company, a corporation of Illinois Application May 9,.193o.-seriai 1 v q. 450,991 'f 14 Claims. -l

This invention pertains 'to crossing barriers, and'more particularly to automatic'. and multiple safety gate'and-signal systems;l v

In safety barrier systems, the mostsatisfactory method of guarding a railway crossing, there are a number-of problems which must be solved; First=of all, an adequate crossing barrier must` be provided which is positivel inoperation, affords adequate protection, and operates on-the safety side, being preferably automatically controlled by the approaching track vehicle. Obviously, crossing barriers which are manually operated, even.

though the first cost may be less than that of an automatically controlled barrier, are more expensive in the long run -since an attendant must always be at rthe crossing'to'raise and lower the crossing gates at fthe approach of a train, `this attendant must be sheltered', and some means provided whereby the approachV of the train is indicated to him. Another consideration is thatv the crossing gate mustbe as inexpensive as possible,

4for `at least two gatesmust be installed at a crossing. e

. With the old type-ofg'ateS, if a. roadveliicle is trappedbetween the lowered crossing gates, the

road vehicle is either hit by the approaching train or` must breakthrough thecrossing gate, causing damagetoeither the gate; orthe vehicle, or both,

so that it is desirable -that there Ybe some safety feature connected with .the gate whereby the-gate can'befrendered inoperative Afor a short periodjof time'to take care of any emergency whereby a motorist isv trapped betweenthe gates when iin lowered position, and thissafety featurel prefer-'f` ably should not involve the .raising and-lowering of the-gates, as this is slow andopens the where a train is approaching.V 4; A

There are other contingencies which may arise which should be taken care of forthe crossing gate to be successful, one of which is the condition wherein the gates may be lowered and strike, say, the upper portion of aroadvehicle. quently occurs where 'the .motorist approaches at crossing time.

Itis' therefore an object of vthis invention; to provide a barrier construction which`,while effective to provide safety means at .a crossing, is still yieldable under impact and/or obstruction.

A further object of this invention is-to provide a crossing barrier which, though positive in operation, is operable inr a manner whereby jarring of *the barrier'is prevented..`

A still further object of this invention Y, is to provide a crossing barrier system wherein ja plurality of-means of operation is provided, one (of which is normally inoperative and whichfis only operative uponV failure of the normally operative means.. i Y

Yeta further object is Atoln.0 l i. ie a barrier and 60 system of operation therefor which fulfill all requirementsof manufacture Vand service. vWith these and various otherobjectsin view, the invention may consist-offcertain novel features of construction and operation, as will be .more fully described andparticularly pointed out .inl the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

. In the drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters `are used to designate likeiparts-d f Figure 1 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation through the improved `crossingbarrier; l

Figure 2 is'a fragmentary, sectional elevationfof the sidewalk or supplementary barrier adapted to be associated with and operable by' themechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3-is'a fragmentary side elevation of the crossing barrier illustrated `in Figure 1, the same .showing the barrier arms in operative or closed position, the dotted lines representing the barriers in: raised or inoperative position;v y

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, top plan viewA of the construction shown in `Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, sectional elevation 85 through the head or rotating portion of the pedestal; showing the barrier arms associated therewith,- the same being taken substantially at ninety degrees to Figure 1; v 1

.Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentarysectional 90 elevation of a portion of the operating mechanism. or the supplementary barrier, the same being taken substantially at ninety degrees to Figure 2; Figure'lis an `enlarged'plan of `theyoke and 95 associated mechanism -lforminga yieldable operating means for emergency swing of the main barrier.y too great aspeed and so v.is not able `to stop in In the crossing barrier illustrated, the standard or Apedestal 10`is proyided with a base 12 having 100 secured thereto the support 14 forming a foundationtowhich the D. -C. motor 16 andthe A. C; motor 18`are secured, the standard being provided with suitable c over plates 20 forming convenientmeans of Vingress to the operating mechanism;` The vstandard-10 is provided with the casing. 22 having the ball race 24 f or supporting the balls 26 providing anti-friction means Y between the race 24 and the race 28 provided in the supportv30,1the support 30 beingsecured tol 110 the multiple tube'32 to which the head 34 is fixedly secured and around which the head is adapted to rotate. on the vertical center line or axis of the construction wherebyajproper,rotation of .the head 34 may be effected and the standard 10 forms a support for the casing 36 secured thereto and kresting thereon through the interfitting sections 38, the casing 36 forming a support for the sidewalk or` supplementary barrier 40 operated through the support 42 secured to the casing'36.'

The casing 22 is preferably provided "ate through a suitable vtrain of gearing (not The support 42 at its outer endis provided with rotate on the shaft 48, vthe shaftgiLbeing provided with the gear wheels 50 adaptedv to mesh with the racks 52 provided on the opposingnsecracks being disposed in a suitable manner whereby ingressof foreign matter tothe racks and pinions is prevented." rIfhe shaft 48 isadapted to be rotated Vbx/ the pinion754 meshing with the gear 46,v the pinion beingmounted onand `operated by the shaft 56, .said shaft extendingthrough the bearing 58 yprovided vinfthe casing 60', forming 'the connection betweenfthe casings 36 and 42, the inner Iend ofthe4 shaft56'beingprovded with the gear62" meshing with and adapted to` be operated by the gear 64,` said *gearl being mounted on the vertical shaft 66fjournaledV in 'the bearing 68 shown ascarried by the casing 60; the shaft 70 as at 72. The lower end of the shaft 66 is' provided` with" the reversible worm '74V meshing with the gear '76 for operation of the limit -Vby thegear 82 securedto the operating shaft 84 extending upwardly'through-the casing 22, the

shown),` to rotate the pinion 130 whereby the shaft 84 will` be rotated, rotation of the shaft 84, of course,- will operate the shaft 92 through "the worm and gear 818-90 whereby the pinion tions constituting kthe sidewalkbarrierV 40th`e 96-will berotated to bodily move the gate 100 whereby the center of gravity o f said gate will be shiftedfto a point to the left as viewed in Figure 1 withrespect to the shaft 92, causing the barrier 100 tomove downwardly. Rotation of the shaft 84wi11 also rotate the gear 82, in turn operating the gear -and the shaft 66, causing operation of the worm' and gear 'I4-,'76 which is so proportioned that when thebarrier 100 has reached its down position, the limit switch willbe operated whereby rotation Yof the shaft 48 is effected through the worm andr gear 54-Ji6. Rotation of extending down and r`being journaled' into the castube 32 andinto the head 34, being journaled o therein as4 at 86, thelupper end of the shaft. 8 4

:being provided with the reversible worm 88 meshingfwith the gear 90 mounted on the shaft'92 Vsuitably journaled'; inthe head 34 as at 94`and provided at itsjouter ends with the gear wheels r96adaptedto mesh with the racks 98'provided on the sections forming the road*barrier 100.

`50 The standard-lois provided with 'a suitable s'top 1D2and a head rmaybe provided with a-suitable Astop 104 adaptedftolimit the movement of the crossing barrier in raised' and loweredV position,A and in a similar manner the sidewalk arm may be limited in its Ymovement by means 'of the stop 106; The casing 32= is provided with' a gear seg- ,menti 108 n n'shingv with vthe-gear segment 110 mounted on the trunnion 112 secured-to the casing 36. The gear 110 is provided with 'a' hub 114 on whichthe yokellG-'is mounted, said yoke befing provided with iittings`118 pivotedlthereto as V"at 120 and providing securingmeans for the vertically extending threaded rods 122, said rods exftending downwardly through suitable apertures 6'5 in the floor of the casing 36,"the ends'of said rods :fand the oor ofthe casing is disposed coil compression/spring 126.` The-barrier is,'of course, l suitably provided with`flashing lights (not shown) operated by a flasher relay and thelike,-to be later described, and also may be providedlwith a f suitable signal', such as a bell (notshown). f bell and the flashing lights. are.V operated in a .mannerto'be later described, the current Abeing conducted theretoy by means of a cable 128exbeing provided with the heads 124 between which The tending from the head 34 downwardly through the 'shaft 48 causes operation of the gear 50 rier: is permitted. lMovement of the barrier causes rotation of the head 34' on the bearings 24-26-28, which causes the (torque) tube 32 to rotate whereby the gear segment 110 is rotated on the trunnion 112 by the gear segment 108. Rotationof the gear segment causes the yoke 'to rotate, wherein one arm is raised and ther other 'is I"lowered, depending upon the direction from 'which thegate is moved. Upward movement of one of the rods 122 will'cause compression of its spring 126 between the head 124 and the-iioor of 'rio the casingA 36, and when the barrier 100 is re leased, the spring will elongate, seeking its normal position, and the gate will be returned to its normal positionblocking the roadway. A. similar mounting for transverse movementmay be made `at the sidewalk arm.40 in the casing 44 but as' sidemovement of vthe gate 40should neveroccur, this construction Vis not illustrated. v f

arm in another direction whereby it is moved to its vupper or inoperative position. As before,

when lits upper-position is reached, the limit switch operates to cause the'motor to stop whereby the parts arein position awaiting further opershown, which is merely by way of illustration andr Vnot'limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of vcourse be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the'spirit of the `invention or the scope of the claims.

We claim: Y 1. In a crossing gate assembly, the combination vof a support, a movable head thereon,` a gate arm mounted for pivotal and bodily movement thereon, means for operating said arm, and means for yieldably maintaining said head in normal position, said means including a yoke. f

2. In a crossing gate assembly, the combination of a support, a movable head thereon, a gate arm mounted for pivotal and bodily movement thereon, means for operating said arm, and means for yieldably maintaining said head in normal position, said means including a yoke, said yoke being provided with a plurality of springs yieldably maintaining said yoke in` a predetermined position.

3. In a crossing gate assembly, the combination of a support, a movablehead thereon, a gate arm mounted for pivotal and bodily movement thereon, means for operating said arm, a support on said flrst named support, and a gate arm mounted for pivotal and bodily movement thereon,` said last named gate arm being operated by said means.

4. In a crossing gate assembly, the combination of a support, a movable head thereon, a gate arm mounted for pivotal and bodily movement thereon, means for operating said arm, a support onV said first named support, and a gate arm mounted for pivotal and bodily movement thereon, said last named gate arm being operated by said means, said means being arranged to permit movement of said head without affectinglmovement of said last named gate. 5. In a crossing gate assembly, the combination of a support, a head thereon, a shaft secured to said head and mounted for rotary movement on said support, a yoke mounted adjacent and cooperating with said shaft, springs Vsecured to said yoke and maintaining said yoke in predetermined position whereby movement of said head is resisted by said springs and returned to normal position by said springs.

6. In a crossing gate assembly, the combination of a support, a head thereon, a shaft secured vto said head and mounted on anti-friction bearings for rotary movement on said support, a gear on said shaft, a yoke rotatably supported adjacent said shaft and having a gearmeshing with said first named gear, springs connected to said yoke for maintaining said yoke in predetermined position whereby said springs return said head to predetermined position after movement thereof.

7. In a crossing gate, the combination of a pedestal having a gate mounted thereon for movement of translation, a movable head mounted on'said pedestal, a gate mounted on said head for movement `of translation, and means connecting said gates,V whereby they are operated simultaneously. Y

8. In a crossing gate, the combination of a pedestal having a movable head mounted thereon, a barrier mounted for movement on said head, a rotatably mounted member mounted on said pedestal and provided with resilient means and cooperating with said head for maintaining said head -inyielding predetermined position.

9. In a crossing gate, the combinationV of a pedestal having a support, a head, a member secured to said head and pivotally mounted on means lthrough said member into Y said head whereby said head may be rotated independently Y of operation of said barrier, and means resiliently mounted on said pedestal and cooperating with said member Ywhereby said head is yieldably maintained in a predetermined position.

11. In a crossing gate construction, the combination of a pedestal, a gate arm mounted on said pedestal, a movable head mounted on said pedestal, means for normally maintaining said head in predetermined position, a gate arm mounted for movements of translation and rotation on said head,` Vand means connecting said gate arms whereby said arms are operated substantially simultaneously.

12. In a crossing gate construction, the combination of a pedestal, a gate arm mounted on said pedestal, a movable head mounted on said pedestal, means for normally maintaining said head in predetermined position, a gate arm mounted on said head, and means connecting said gate arms whereby said arms are operated substantially simultaneously.

.13.' In a crossing gate, the combination of a pedestal, 'a head 'disposed thereon, said head being provided with a shaft extending into said pedestalV and mounted for rotation therein, a jackshaft mounted on said pedestal, a yoke mounted on said jackshaft and having opposed compression springs for yieldably lmaintaining said yoke in predetermined position, gear members non-rotatably mounted on said yoke and shaft and meshing whereby said springs yieldably maintain said head in predetermined position, a gate arm mounted and mounted for rotation therein, a jackshaft mounted-on said pedestaLa yoke mounted on said jackshaft and having' opposed compression springs for yieldably maintaining said yoke in predetermined position-gear members non-rotatably mounted on said yoke and shaft and meshing whereby said springs yieldably maintain said head in predetermined position, a gate arm mounted on said head for movements of rotation and translation, means for operating said gate arm mounted in said pedestal, and connecting means between said means and said gate arm including means extending through said y shaft.

CARL O. MERICKA. WILLIAM M. LOSER. 

